Thursday, December 23, 2010

The Epcot Candlelight Processional was one of the highlights of the last few weeks. I went on one of the nights it was being narrated by Jodi Benson, who is the voice of the Little Mermaid, as well as Barbie in the Toy Story movies.

The program started out with songs played by the Walt Disney World Orchestra. It was a 50-piece orchestra, and they sounded phenomenal. Then the orchestra was joined onstage by the Voices of Liberty from the American Adventure Pavilion at Epcot, the enormous Walt Disney World Cast Choir, as well as a Guest Choir from local high schools.

The Candlelight Processional is the retelling of the Christmas story by a celebrity narrator, accompanied by songs and music from the massed choir and orchestra. It felt like I was at Christmas mass at church, since the entire story is about the baby Jesus being born. It was interesting to hear that story being told in Disney World! But it's an accurate reflection of traditional American culture, and it's not being forced upon you as a guest.

The choir was simply amazing. There were so many people on that stage, and Jodi Benson did a wonderful job telling the Christmas story. Despite the cold weather (in the 40's!) it was most definitely a night well-spent.